JP5957833B2 - Squeegee system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field in which ink is applied (printing or coating) to a sheet-like material by a squeegee. In particular, the present invention relates to a squeegee system capable of controlling a state related to deformation in a squeegee of a screen printing machine in the width direction of the squeegee.

In screen printing machines, knife blade (squeegee) coating machines, etc., the thickness (film) of the film printed and applied according to conditions such as squeegee pressure, squeegee angle, squeegee speed, ink viscosity, coating liquid viscosity, etc. Thickness), line pattern width, uniformity / stability, etc. vary. For example, with respect to the squeegee pressure, if other conditions are constant, the film thickness is thick when the squeegee pressure is low, and the film thickness is thin when the squeegee pressure is high. This applies not only to the pressure (total pressure) of the squeegee as a whole, but also to individual pressures and individual film thicknesses distributed in the width direction of the squeegee. On the other hand, if the squeegee pressure is too low, the ink and coating liquid are scraped off shallowly, resulting in not only a thick film thickness, but also an unstable film thickness. Accordingly, the appropriate squeegee pressure is a squeegee pressure at which the variation in film thickness becomes small and the film thickness becomes stable throughout the distribution including the distribution in the width direction of the squeegee.
Therefore, conventionally, an invention for making the squeegee pressure appropriate has been made. For example, a squeegee receiving surface is provided in an opening having a substantially C-shaped cross section, and a squeegee holder having a plurality of screws for pressing the squeegee on the other side and a plurality of squeegee restraints provided with a squeegee pressing surface for pressing the squeegee are provided. An invention that adjusts the parallelism of these is known (Patent Document 1). Here, adjusting the parallelism of the squeegee corresponds to making the distribution of the squeegee pressure in the width direction appropriate. In addition, in screen printing that uses a squeegee to print on a printing paper placed on a printing table, an invention is known that adjusts the squeegee pressure by measuring the output value of a film-like strain gauge that detects pressure ( Patent Document 2). Further, an invention in which a sensor for detecting printing pressure or friction force is attached to the surface of a squeegee holder or squeegee is known (Patent Document 3). Further, a printing stage for arranging the printing material, means for adjusting the height of the printing material, a squeegee provided on the upper part of the printing stage, a head for supporting the squeegee, and a cylinder provided with the head An invention that can move up and down and adjusts the height of the printed material is capable of bending the printed material arranged on the printing stage is known (Patent Document 4). Further, the squeegee head includes a squeegee head having a squeegee that can be pressed on the pressing surface, a drive unit that raises and lowers the squeegee head, and a limit stopper that restricts the range of raising and lowering the squeegee head. An invention comprising a pressure detector and an elastic body that relieves a pressing force from the squeegee to the pressure detector, and arranging the squeegee, the pressure detector, and the elastic body in series along a pressing direction applied to the pressed surface. Is known (Patent Document 5).

Akira 61-158976 Japanese Utility Model Sho 63-114648 JP-A-9-174808 JP2007-038641 JP2008-254246

By the way, devices for electronic devices such as displays, touch panels, and sensors are manufactured by semiconductor process technology such as vapor deposition and photolithography. However, the devices are expensive, and there are many materials that consume energy and waste. It is a problem. Therefore, in recent years, a technique of directly forming an electronic circuit on a film or a glass substrate by printing and coating has attracted attention in a field called printable electronics or printed electronics. Among them, screen printing is widely used because of its advantages that it can be used for printing on a large area, can be printed on a wide variety of substrates, and can form a thick film.
However, while screen printing can cope with printing of a large area, it is difficult to obtain high definition and high accuracy at the same time because it is uniform in printing of the large area. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. The object is to provide a squeegee system that is uniform in printing and coating over a large area and can obtain high definition and high accuracy.

A squeegee system according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a squeegee, a plurality of pressing means arranged in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee to press the side surface near the lower part of the squeegee, and a side surface near the lower part of the squeegee. A plurality of strain gauges attached and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee, and holding the squeegee near the top of the squeegee, and allowing the pressing by the plurality of pressing means. A holding means for holding the pressing means; a control means for calculating an operation amount for operating the pressing force by the pressing means based on the strain amount detected by the strain gauge; and the pressing means according to the operation amount. Operating means for operating pressure, and the number of the pressing means and the strain gauge is the same, and the ski pressed by the pressing means The position of the side surface near the lower portion of the squeegee and the position of the side surface near the lower portion of the squeegee to which the strain gauge is attached seem to be opposed to each other via the squeegee in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee. It is a thing.
A squeegee system according to claim 2 of the present invention is the squeegee system according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting a target value of the strain amount, wherein the control means is configured to set the strain amount. The operation amount is calculated so as to be the target value.
A squeegee system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the squeegee system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the holding means can be rotated about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee and can be rotated arbitrarily. An angle adjusting means for fixing the holding means at an angle is provided.
A squeegee system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the squeegee system according to the third aspect , wherein the angle adjusting means is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the squeegee and parallel to the printing surface of the substrate. Horizontal moving means for moving in the direction is provided.
The squeegee system according to claim 5 of the present invention is the squeegee system according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the angle adjusting means is moved in the vertical direction of the squeegee and the printing pressure is released when the angle adjusting means is moved upward. An application means for applying a printing pressure when moving downward is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a squeegee system that is uniform in printing and coating over a large area and can obtain high definition and high accuracy.

It is a figure (side view) which shows an example of a structure of the mechanical system in the squeegee system of this invention. It is a figure (front view) which shows an example of a structure of the mechanical system in the squeegee system of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the strain detection circuit (bridge) by a strain gauge. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control system in the squeegee system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement at the time of applying the squeegee system of this invention to screen printing.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An example of the configuration of the mechanical system in the squeegee system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 (side view) and FIG. 2 (front view). 1 and 2, 1 is a squeegee, 2 is a squeegee holder, 3 and 3a and 3b are angle adjusting means, 31 is a rotating shaft, 4 and 4a to 4f are strain gauges, 5 and 5a to 5f are pressing means, 51 And 51a to 51f are supports, 6a and 6b are moving means, 61a and 61b are stages, and 62a and 62b are guides. Reference numeral 100 denotes ink, 101 denotes a screen plate, and 102 denotes a substrate.
The squeegee 1 is a squeegee used in screen printing, squeegee coating, and the like. Generally, as a squeegee for such use, urethane rubber is used as a material, and a rubber hardness of about 60 to 90 is used. In the present invention, the squeegee 1 is made of other synthetic rubber, Natural rubber, plastic, metal, synthetic materials such as FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics), etc. may be used. Moreover, the shape of the squeegee 1 is a plate shape (a cross-sectional shape is a rectangle with a long side), a plate-shaped tip is cut off, a cross-sectional shape is a cross-sectional shape like a knife, and a cross-sectional shape is approximately Those that are square, etc. can be used. The squeegee having the cross-sectional shape of the knife is scraped by ink at a portion corresponding to the cutting edge, and the squeegee having a cross-sectional shape composed of sides and sides is scraped at the tip portion where the sides intersect.

  The squeegee holder 2 holds the upper part of the squeegee 1 in the entire lengthwise direction and presses the support means 51, 51a to 51f via the support bodies 51 and 51a to 51f so that the squeegee 1 can be pressed by the pressing means 5 and 5a to 5f. It is a holding means which hold | maintains 5,5a-5f. The material of the squeegee holder 2 is generally a rigid material such as metal or hard plastic, and the squeegee holder 2 has high rigidity. On the other hand, the squeegee 1 has elasticity corresponding to the hardness and does not have higher rigidity than the holder 2. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the squeegee 1, the upper portion of the squeegee 1 held by the squeegee holder 2 is not deformed by the rigidity of the squeegee holder 2, and the lower portion of the squeegee 1 that is not held (near the tip). Only to be deformed. Further, when the squeegee holder 2 is displaced, the displacement is uniformly transmitted in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 1 due to the rigidity of the squeegee holder 2. Furthermore, the squeegee holder 2 receives the reaction when the pressing means 5, 5 a to 5 f exert a pressing force on the squeegee 1 through the support bodies 51 and 51 a to 51 f.

The angle adjusting means 3, 3 a, 3 b make the holding means 2 rotatable about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 1 and fix the holding means 2 at an arbitrary rotation angle. The angle adjusting means 3 is an angle adjusting means for adjusting the squeegee angle. As a simple configuration of the angle adjusting means 3, 3 a, 3 b, for example, after loosening the screw that stops the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 fixed to the holding means 2 or the angle adjusting means 3 and adjusting the angle, It can be set as the structure fixed by tightening. Further, as a complicated configuration, for example, a worm wheel connected to a rotating shaft 31 fixed to the holding means 2 may be rotated by a worm screw to adjust the angle. At that time, the rotation of the worm screw is controlled by a motor (for example, a step motor) capable of controlling the amount of rotation, so that the worm screw can be automatically adjusted to the target angle.
The strain gauges 4, 4 a to 4 f are sensors (Strain gauges) that show changes in electrical resistance due to deformation. The amount of strain can be obtained by measuring and converting the change in electrical resistance of the strain gauges 4, 4a to 4f. The strain gauges 4 and 4a to 4f usually have a structure in which a metal resistor (metal foil) laid out in a zigzag shape is attached on a thin insulator. Although one of the strain gauges 4 is shown in FIG. 1, it is actually a plurality of strain gauges. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of strain gauges 4 a to 4 f are attached to the side surface near the lower part (near the tip) of the squeegee 1 and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 1.

The pressing means 5, 5 a to 5 f are actuators for pressing the side surface of the squeegee 1. As an actuator for the squeegee system, for example, an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a motor-driven linear actuator, or the like can be used. The air cylinder is suitable for controlling the deformation of the squeegee 1 by operating the air pressure. Further, the linear actuator configured to be positioned by the servo motor is suitable for controlling the deformation of the squeegee 1 by manipulating the displacement amount.
The side surface (one side surface) of the squeegee 1 pressed by the pressing means 5, 5 a to 5 f is, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the side surface (the other side surface) to which the strain gauge 4 near the lower portion of the squeegee 1 is attached. On the other hand, it is on the opposite side. The side surface of the squeegee 1 to which the strain gauge 4 is attached and the side surface of the squeegee 1 pressed by the pressing means 5, 5a to 5f may be the same side surface. By setting it as a different side surface, the design freedom about arrangement | positioning of the press means 5, 5a-5f, and the strain gauge 4 increases. In addition, problems such as wear destruction of the strain gauge 4 due to direct contact of the pressing portion can be avoided.
The reaction force against the force by which the pressing means 5, 5 a to 5 f press the squeegee 1 acts on the support 51 in the example shown in FIG. 1. The support 51 is supported by the angle adjusting means 3, which supports the squeegee holder 2, and the squeegee holder 2 holds the squeegee 1. Since the support body 51, the angle adjusting means 3, and the squeegee holder 2 are rigid bodies, the force pressed by the pressing means 5, 5a to 5f causes the squeegee 1 to be displaced. About the structure which supports the press means 5, 5a-5f, if it becomes the structure which produces the displacement to the squeegee 1, it is not limited to the example shown in FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 1, the pressing means 5, 5 a to 5 f are configured to directly press the side surface of the squeegee 1, but indirectly press the side surface of the squeegee 1 via a link mechanism or the like. It can also be set as the structure to do.

  The moving means 6a and 6b are means for moving from the start point to the end point in order to print the squeegee 1, as shown in FIG. 1B, moving in the reverse direction from the end point, and returning to the start point. . In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the moving means 6a and 6b are composed of stages 61a and 61b and guides 62a and 62b, and the stages 61a and 61b directly support the angle adjusting means 3 to support the squeegee 1. Support indirectly. FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram when the squeegee system is applied to screen printing. When the squeegee 1 moves to the left in FIG. 1B, the ink 100 is scraped off, and the ink 100 is embedded in the ink passage portion (print pattern portion) formed on the screen plate 101, so Metastasize. When the screen plate 101 is separated from the substrate 102, only the ink of the printing pattern (portion through which ink passes) remains on the substrate 102.

  Although not shown, in the squeegee system, the angle adjusting means 3 is moved in the vertical direction of the squeegee 1, and the printing pressure (squeegee pressure) is released when the squeegee 1 is moved upward, and is marked when the squeegee is moved downward. Application means for applying pressure (squeegee pressure) can be provided. The applying means generates a squeegee pressure (total pressure) applied to the screen plate by the entire squeegee 1. In screen printing, printing or the like is performed in a state where the squeegee 1 is in contact with the screen plate, that is, in a state where a squeegee pressure is applied to the screen plate. In screen printing, in a state where the squeegee 1 is separated from the screen plate, that is, in a state where the squeegee pressure on the screen plate is released, the screen plate is separated from the printed material to be printed and replaced with the material to be printed next. , Etc. are performed. The application means is for that purpose. The application means may be configured to move the squeegee 1 in the vertical direction by moving the squeegee holder 2 in the vertical direction using an air cylinder, a linear actuator, or the like as an actuator. Moreover, it can be set as the structure which moves the squeegee 1 up and down indirectly by moving the angle adjustment means 3a and 3b or the moving means 6a and 6b up and down.

The configuration of the mechanical system has been described above. Next, as an example of the configuration of the control system in the squeegee system of the present invention, an example of a strain detection circuit (bridge) using a strain gauge is shown in FIG. 3, and an example of the configuration of the control system in the squeegee system of the present invention is shown as a block diagram. As shown in FIG. 3 and 4, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are resistors, VR is a volume, 4 is a strain gauge, 5 is a pressing means, 140 is a strain gauge amplifier, 141 is a calibrator, and 150 is an operating device. , 151 is a manual operation setting device, 170 is a controller, and 171 is a setting device.
As is well known, a change in electrical resistance due to deformation of the strain gauge 4 is detected using a bridge circuit. In FIG. 3A, a bridge circuit is constituted by four resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4, and at least one of them is a strain gauge. When one strain gauge is used, for example, R1 is set as a strain gauge 4 (quarter bridge circuit). When two strain gauges are used, for example, R1 is a strain gauge 4 and R4 is another strain gauge (half bridge circuit). Another strain gauge is affixed, for example, at the position of the side surface of the squeegee 1 facing the strain gauge 4. The strain gauge 4 and the other strain gauge expand and contract in the opposite direction to the deformation, and the resistance value changes with the same temperature coefficient with respect to the temperature change. With this configuration, the sensitivity and temperature compensation performance can be improved. Similarly, sensitivity and temperature compensation performance can be improved by making all the resistors strain gauges with the same characteristics (full bridge circuit).
Due to the change of the output voltage between the terminal A and the terminal B (terminal AB) when a constant predetermined voltage (direct current or alternating current) is applied to the terminal C and the terminal D of those bridge circuits, the strain gauge is deformed (by Resistance change) is detected.

  When detecting using a bridge circuit, zero adjustment (equilibrium adjustment) is performed so that the output of the terminal AB is zero when the strain gauge 4 is in a reference state (a predetermined state where deformation of the strain gauge 4 is a reference). ) Is performed. In the bridge circuit shown as an example in FIG. 3A, the output voltage at the terminal A-B becomes zero when R1 × R3 = R2 × R4 is satisfied. Never meet. Therefore, a circuit for zero adjustment (zero adjustment circuit; balance adjustment circuit) is provided. FIG. 3B shows an example of a bridge circuit provided with a zero adjustment circuit. In FIG. 3B, the circuit portion constituted by R5 and R6 which are fixed resistors and VR which is a variable resistor is a zero adjustment circuit. A voltage (voltage at terminal D) is applied to the VR slide terminal (slide terminal; terminal indicated by arrow →). When VR is operated, the current flowing through each part of the bridge circuit changes. As a result, zero adjustment can be performed. R5 and R6 are fixed resistors provided so that fine adjustment is possible by limiting the adjustment range.

  Since the change in the output voltage of the terminal A-B is usually very small, it is amplified by an amplifier and then output to a voltage measuring device or the like. When the amount of deformation of the strain gauge 4 from the reference state is constant, the degree of amplification is adjusted so that a constant output voltage is obtained. The adjustment of the degree of amplification corresponds to general adjustments such as sensitivity adjustment, gauge ratio adjustment, span adjustment, and the like, and will be referred to as sensitivity adjustment here. In the present invention, since a plurality of strain gauges are used and the pressing amounts of the plurality of pressing means 5 are manipulated based on the deformation amounts of the squeegee 1 detected by them, the relationship between the deformation amounts in the plurality of strain gauges and the output voltage. There is a need to adjust the sensitivity so that is constant within a predetermined range.

Strain gauge amplifier 140 shown in FIG. 4 is an amplifier that integrates the bridge circuits and amplifier non gauges not shed, has a terminal for connecting the gauges 4 not shed. The calibrator 141 is a calibrator for performing zero adjustment and sensitivity adjustment as described above for the strain gauge amplifier 140. In squeegee system, the gauge amplifier 140 strain for each of a plurality One day not a saw gauge 4 provided calibrator 141.
Enter the output voltage of the controller 170 Wahi not a saw gauge amplifier 140 generates an operation signal, and outputs the operation unit 150. Since the output voltage is a signal that changes over time, it is also referred to herein as an output signal. Of course, not a Karahi represents the degree of deformation of the output signal Wahi not a gauges 4 (deformation amount from the reference state) is a variation quantity signal of gauges 4. Further, a setter for performing the control unit 170 to set the target value of the output signal of the setting device 171 Wahi not a saw gauge amplifier 140. The target value is not limited to a constant value that does not change with the passage of time, but is a value that changes in accordance with another amount of change such as a target value signal that changes with the passage of time or the movement position of the squeegee 1. Also good.
The controller 170 compares the output signal of gauges amplifier 140 not shed its target value, and calculates the operation amount as the difference becomes smaller. The control method of the controller 170 is not particularly limited. For example, the operation is proportional (Proportinal: P), integral (Integral: I), or differential (D) with respect to the deviation between the output signal and the target value. PID control for deriving the operation amount by performing the above can be applied. Usually, P is performed alone, or P is combined with either I or D or both.

The operation device 150 inputs the operation amount and operates the pressing means 5. When the pressing means 5 is an air cylinder, the air pressure is operated. When the pressing means 5 is a linear actuator configured to perform linear positioning by a servo motor, the displacement amount is manipulated.
When the pressing means 5 is an air cylinder, the operating device 150, for example, discharges the introduced air from a high-pressure air source (high-pressure air tank), an air introduction electromagnetic valve for introducing high-pressure air into the air cylinder, and the like. And an electromagnetic valve operating device that operates the air introducing electromagnetic valve and the air discharging electromagnetic valve based on the operation amount output from the controller 170. As an operation of the operation device 150, for example, when an operation amount is input by an electromagnetic valve operation device and the operation amount is an operation amount for increasing the pressing force, the air introduction electromagnetic valve is opened and the operation amount is set in the air cylinder. A predetermined amount of high-pressure air based on the above is introduced, and the air pressure in the air cylinder is increased. Further, when the operation amount is a reduction in pressing force, the air discharge solenoid valve is opened to discharge a predetermined amount of air based on the operation amount from the air cylinder, and the air pressure in the air cylinder is reduced. In this manner, the air pressure of the air cylinder (pressing means 5) is operated, and by repeating this, the difference between the target value set in the controller 170 and the output signal of the strain gauge amplifier 140 becomes smaller.

When the pressing means 5 is a linear actuator configured to be positioned by a servo motor, the operation device 150 can be configured by a servo motor of the linear actuator, a servo driver, and a servo controller. As an operation of the operation device 150, for example, when a servo controller inputs an operation amount and the operation amount is an operation amount for increasing the pressing force, a signal of a predetermined rotation amount based on the operation amount is output to the servo driver. Then, the servo motor is driven by the servo driver, and the linear actuator is displaced in the direction of increasing the pressing force. In addition, when the operation amount is a decrease in the pressing force, a signal of a predetermined rotation amount based on the operation amount is output to the servo driver, the servo motor is driven by the servo driver, and the linear actuator is moved in the direction of decreasing the pressing force. Displace. As described above, positioning in the linear direction is performed by the displacement of the linear actuator, and by repeating this, the difference between the target value set in the controller 170 and the output signal of the strain gauge amplifier 140 becomes smaller. .
The operation amount is output not only from the controller 170 but also from the manual operation setting device 151 by manually setting the operation amount. In other words, the user can manually operate the pressing means 5. The operation device 150 has a configuration for switching between an operation amount from the controller 170 and an operation amount from the manual operation setting device 151 (see FIG. 4).

The configuration has been described above. Next, the operation in the squeegee system of the present invention will be described. An example of the operation when the squeegee system of the present invention is applied to screen printing is shown in FIG. 5 as a flowchart.
First, in step S1 (zero adjustment) of FIG. 5, the squeegee system is zero-adjusted in the state of the squeegee 1 that matches the purpose of control in the squeegee system. Here, description will be made assuming that the purpose of the control is to keep the state (deformation) of the squeegee 1 during printing in a predetermined state, that is, to control the output voltage of the strain gauge 4 to be a target value. In this case, since the reference state of the strain gauge 4 is a state during printing, the user operates the angle adjusting means 3 to set the squeegee angle of the squeegee 1 to a desired angle. Further, the user operates the manual operation setting device 151 to set the pressing force by the pressing means 5 to a desired pressing force (or displacement amount). After performing these operations, the user operates the applying means to set the screen pressure (total pressure) to a desired pressure and brings the squeegee 1 into contact with the screen plate.
In that state (reference state), the calibrator 141 is operated and adjusted so that the output voltage of the strain gauge amplifier 140 connected to each of all the strain gauges 4 becomes zero. If the strain gauge amplifier 140 has an automatic adjustment function, this calibration can be performed automatically.
The pressing means 5 cannot pull the squeegee 1 even if it can be pressed. However, by performing zero adjustment while pressing with a constant pressing force (the above-mentioned “desired pressing force”), if the pressing force is increased, the squeegee 1 is pressed, and the pressure is reduced. If so, the squeegee 1 is drawn. That is, the squeegee 1 can be both pushed and pulled by the pressing means 5.

Next, in step S2 (sensitivity adjustment), sensitivity adjustment of the squeegee system is performed. Sensitivity adjustment includes a method in which the sensitivity is adjusted in a state of the squeegee 1 suitable for the purpose of control in the squeegee system, and a method in which the sensitivity is adjusted by applying an equivalent strain in a circuit. As the former method, the output of the strain gauge amplifier 140 connected to each of all the strain gauges 4 in a state where the user operates the applying means to change the printing pressure (squeegee pressure) by the applying means from the reference state. The calibrator 141 is operated and adjusted so that the voltages are the same. At this time, it is preferable that the amount of change from the reference state is approximately the same as the amount of change that occurs during printing. On the other hand, as the latter method, a strain gauge connected to each of all strain gauges 4 is generated by generating a state equivalent to that when the strain gauge is deformed by connecting a predetermined resistor to the strain gauge 4 in parallel. The calibrator 141 is operated and adjusted so that the output voltage of the amplifier 140 becomes the same. As the predetermined resistor, it is possible to use a resistor (calibration resistor) having a resistance value that gives a change in resistance of the strain gauge 4 corresponding to the amount of change “same as the amount of change that occurs during printing”. If the strain gauge amplifier 140 has an automatic adjustment function, this calibration can be performed automatically.
Since steps S1 and S2 are steps for calibrating the squeegee system, when difficult contents are included on the screen printing machine, the steps S1 and S2 may be performed in an environment that facilitates the calibration. Of course, when it can be performed on a screen printer, it is preferable to perform it on the screen printer immediately before the start of screen printing.

Next, in step S3 (target value setting), a target value of the output voltage of the strain gauge amplifier 140 is set. If the control is performed so that the output voltage of the strain gauge amplifier 140 is constant in the reference state of the strain gauge 4 at which the output voltage is zero, the set value 171 is naturally operated to set the target value to zero. Further, if the control is performed so as to be constant in the state changed from the reference state, the setting device 171 is operated to set a target value corresponding to the state. The change from the reference state is performed, for example, when trying to obtain a better print quality than the print quality obtained in the reference state.
Further, each of the strain gauge amplifiers 140 connected to each of the strain gauges 4 can be controlled to be constant in an individual state. In that case, the setter 171 is operated for each strain gauge amplifier 140 to set target values corresponding to these individual states. This setting is applied when changing the state of the squeegee 1 in the longitudinal direction. For example, when the film thickness in the longitudinal direction is not uniform, it is preferable to correct by setting different target values for each of the strain gauge amplifiers 140 to obtain a uniform film thickness.

Moreover, not only the change of the state in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 1 but also the change of the state in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, that is, the moving direction of the squeegee 1 can be given. The moving means 6a and 6b are provided with position detecting means (not shown) for detecting the positions of the stages 61a and 61b in the guides 62a and 62b. Further, the controller 170 has a function of inputting a position signal output from the position detecting means and using a target value set corresponding to the position indicated by the position signal as a target value in the control of the controller 170. Yes. Therefore, a change in state in the moving direction of the squeegee 1 can be given. In this case, a two-dimensional position (x, x) is a part in the screen printing range, that is, x is a position in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 1 to which the strain gauge 4 is attached, and y is a position in the moving direction of the squeegee 1. The setter 171 is operated for the part represented by y), and a target value corresponding to a desired state is set. This setting is applied when changing the state of the squeegee 1 in both the longitudinal direction and the moving direction. For example, each of the two-dimensional positions (x, y) in the case where the moving means 6a, 6b and the substrate 102 are out of parallel planes, when the support surface that supports the substrate 102 is uneven, etc. It is suitable for correcting by setting different target values to obtain a uniform film thickness.
Steps S1 to S3 are steps that are completed before printing is started. Printing is performed after the next step 4.

Next, in step S4 (squeegee to start position), squeegee 1 is set at the print start position in the screen printer. The squeegee 1 is brought into contact with the screen plate and pressed by the applying means.
Next, in step S5 (control ON), a control operation in the squeegee system is started. For example, the output of the operation amount to the operation device 150 is switched from the operation amount manually set in the manual operation setting device to the operation amount generated by the controller 170 (see FIG. 4).
Next, in step S6 (screen printing start), the moving means 6a and 6b start screen printing by starting the movement of the squeegee 1 or the like.
Next, in step S7 (end of screen printing), the moving means 6a and 6b end the screen printing by stopping the movement of the squeegee 1 or the like.
Next, in step S8 (control OFF), the control operation in the squeegee system is stopped. For example, the operation amount input to the operation device 150 is switched from the operation amount generated by the controller 170 to the operation amount manually set in the manual operation setting device (see FIG. 4).
Next, in step S9 (end?), It is determined whether to continue or end screen printing with the target value. For example, the determination is made based on the presence / absence of a signal input that reaches the set number of prints, the presence / absence of manual stop or manual start, and the like. When continuing, it returns to step S4 and repeats the subsequent steps. When finished, the screen printing step is finished.

  The operation in the squeegee system has been described above with an example. Thus, in the squeegee system of the present invention, the state (particularly deformation) of the squeegee can be controlled. Since the setting of the control target value is arbitrary, it is possible to realize an operation in a suitable state in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 1 and the moving direction of the squeegee 1. Moreover, the preferred state is stable by control. Therefore, it is possible to obtain high precision and high accuracy even in printing and coating over a large area.

  It can be suitably used in screen printing, squeegee coating, etc. in the field of printable electronics, where it is necessary to obtain high definition and high accuracy over the entire surface.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Squeegee 2 Squeegee holder 3, 3a, 3b Angle adjustment means 31 Rotating shaft 4 Strain gauge 5, 5a-5f Press means 51, 51a-51f Support body 6a, 6b Moving means 61a, 61b Stage 62a, 62b Guide 100 Ink 101 Screen Plate 102 Substrate 140 Strain gauge amplifier 141 Calibrator 150 Operation unit 151 Manual operation setting unit 170 Controller 171 Setting unit R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 Resistor VR Volume

Claims (5)

With squeegee,
A plurality of pressing means arranged in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee to press the side surface near the lower part of the squeegee;
A plurality of strain gauges affixed to the side surface near the bottom of the squeegee and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee;
Holding means for holding the squeegee near the top of the squeegee and holding the plurality of pressing means so as to enable the pressing by the plurality of pressing means;
Control means for calculating an operation amount for operating the pressing force by the pressing means based on the strain amount detected by the strain gauge;
Operating means for operating the pressing force in accordance with the operation amount,
The number of the pressing means and the strain gauge is the same, and the position of the side surface near the lower part of the squeegee pressed by the pressing means and the position of the side surface near the lower part of the squeegee to which the strain gauge is attached The squeegee system is characterized in that the squeegee is positioned at least in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee via the squeegee.   2. The squeegee system according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting a target value of the strain amount, wherein the control means calculates an operation amount so that the strain amount becomes the set target value. A featured squeegee system.   3. The squeegee system according to claim 1, further comprising an angle adjusting unit configured to allow the holding unit to rotate about an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the squeegee and to fix the holding unit at an arbitrary rotation angle. A squeegee system characterized by that. 4. The squeegee system according to claim 3 , further comprising horizontal moving means for moving the angle adjusting means in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the squeegee and parallel to the printing surface of the printing material. Squeegee system. The squeegee system according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the angle adjusting means is moved in the vertical direction of the squeegee, the printing pressure is released when the angle adjustment means is moved upward, and the printing pressure is applied when the movement is performed downward. A squeegee system comprising means.

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